Affirmed Was Royalty in the Sport of Kings

Bill Christine’s article last Saturday about the death of Affirmed was a fitting tribute to a great champion.

In detailing Affirmed’s only out-of-the-money finish, a fifth-place effort in the 1978 Jockey Club Gold Cup at Belmont when Steve Cauthen’s saddle slipped, Christine should have pointed out the significance of that race--the only one in thoroughbred history when two Triple Crown winners were defeated. Exceller, ridden by Bill Shoemaker and trained by Charlie Whittingham, came from 22 lengths behind to beat the great Seattle Slew by a nose.

Affirmed under Laffit Pincay would make amends, however, when he defeated the third great horse of that period, Spectacular Bid with Shoemaker up, in the 1979 Gold Cup. Horse racing has not seen a comparable era since and, unfortunately, probably never will.

BART ROBERTSON

Torrance